MICHELLE Trachtenberg’s boyfriend has spoken for the first time following the Gossip Girl’s star death.
Trachtenberg, also known for playing Buffy’s sister in the hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was found dead in her New York City apartment on Wednesday.
A clip from June 2010 where she spoke about her childhood experiences after bursting onto the scene as a child actress has since resurfaced in light of her death.
The 39-year-old actress is said to have undergone a liver transplant months before her death.
Her partner has now broken his silence after her death.
Trachtenberg’s boyfriend Jay Cohen, 63, has now told DailyMail the family wouldn’t be commenting.
The remarks were his first following her death.
Just weeks before her death, Trachtenberg wished her partner a Happy Valentine’s Day.
She shared an image of the pair with their faces painted; they were dressed as Jekyll and Hyde.
Trachtenberg’s partner, dad-of-two Cohen had a kidney transplant in 1999 and marked the 24th anniversary of the occasion in July 2023.
He shared a picture of him wearing shades and he had a beaming smile.
“Today is the 24th anniversary of my kidney transplant,” the post started.
He revealed that it also coincided with his daughter’s birthday.
He also marked the 25th anniversary of the operation the following year on social media, thanking his family and surgeons.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Ed Westwick’s Fairy-Tale Wedding!” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”pV1KxHf2t” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6360887069112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Trachtenberg soared to fame as a child actress, playing the lead character in Harriet the Spy, and starring as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl.
But despite her glowing career and how she shot to fame from a young age – she didn’t have the best time at school.
[boxout headline=”Michelle Trachtenberg’s career”]Michelle Trachtenberg began her career as a child actress, starring in over 62 movies and TV shows before her sudden death at age 39.
Notable roles throughout her career include:
- 1994: Nona Mecklenberg in The Adventures of Pete & Pete
- 1996: Harriet in Harriet the Spy
- 1997: Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- 1999: Penny Brown in Inspector Gadget
- 2001: Hosted and narrated Truth or Scare
- 2004: Jenny in Euro Trip
- 2005: Casey Carlyle in Ice Princess
- 2006: Melissa in Black Christmas
- 2007: Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl
- 2009: Maggie in 17 Again
- 2015: Megan Phillips in The Christmas Gift
- 2022-2023: Georgina Sparks in the Gossip Girl reboot
The star also made cameo appearances in major TV shows:
- 2006: Lisa Tyler in Law and Order: Criminal Intent
- 2006: Melinda Bardach in House
- 2013: Lily Lockhart in NCIS: Los Angeles
- 2013: Diane Turner in Criminal Minds
BULLIED AT SCHOOL
After news of Trachtenberg’s death emerged, a clip from 2010 where she spoke about her time in school resurfaced.
Then age 24, she revealed she was bullied by her classmates.
“The kids were cruel,” she told the TV host Cat Greenleaf, the former host of Talk Stoop.
“I had a really really horrible time in school. They were terrible and torturous and evil.”
The actress believed the reason stemmed from her fame as a child star.
Trachtenberg also opened up on her time at school on social media.
“The kids were cruel,” she revealed in an Instagram post from 2020.
“There is no need to harp on the past.
“But I still have scars from being thrown down stairs and slammed into lockers head first.”
GOSSIP GIRL TRIBUTES
Many of Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-stars have shared touching messages online, with the likes of Blake Lively, Ed Westwick and Taylor Momsen penning tributes on social media.
Blake, who played the role of Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, shared a snap of herself with Michelle from the their days in the hit series.
She described the late star as having an “electric” personality and penned: “Everything she did, she did 200%.
“She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work.
“She was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
In the lengthy message, she went on: “Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend.
“To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday. Hold those you love and have loved dear.”
She added: “The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Trachtenberg was regularly active on social media in the weeks leading up to her death.
She shared her final Instagram post on February 18.
She uploaded a throwback picture from a red carpet event.
“I wanted to look like naughty #tinkerbell,” the caption said.
Friends and former co-stars of Trachtenberg’s were quick to post tributes on social media honoring the actress.
David Boreanaz, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted a photo of the actress on his Instagram story, commenting, “So very sad…horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick posted a photo on his Instagram story of the actress when she played Georgina Sparks. He wrote, “So sad to hear of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. Sending prayers.”
Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in 2005 film Ice Princess, wrote, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Rosie O’Donnell, who acted with Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, also said the news was “heartbreaking.”
“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” she said, according to People.
James Marsters, another co-star on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted on Instagram to honor the late actress. “My heart is heavy today,” he wrote.
“We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her.”
Fellow Nickelodeon star Kenan Thompson posted a farewell message to the actress and reminded others to check in on their friends.
“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!” he wrote.
Melissa Joan Hart, Trachtenberg’s Clarissa Explains it All co-star, said she was “heartbroken” over her death alongside a clip of the show.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg,” she said. “So young, so talented and so sweet!”
“I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully.”